Makassar, July 12 -- The government remains committed to combating rice fraud to help sustain national economic growth and strengthen people's purchasing power, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stated.

"If we succeed in addressing all illegal practices by enforcing regulations, we will be able to boost people's purchasing power," he remarked in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday.

Sulaiman affirmed that failing to address fraud in the trade and distribution of rice, fertilizer, and cooking oil could impede national economic growth.

He further emphasized that economically disadvantaged groups tend to bear the heaviest brunt of fraudulent practices that distort prices and lower the quality of these essential food commodities. ...